Factor Industries Charity Event: October 18th, 2016

[ceofactor]

Even for Benjamin Factor, arranging this charity event had been something of a challenge. Just as he held great influence in Gateway City, Thunder Corp's influence in Locke was great as well. But with time and money, all things were indeed possible in this case, and the Memorial Dance Hall was playing host to the night's events. It was a glamorous affair: politicians, captains of business, dignitaries, and celebrities had been invited. For whatever controversy that existed, the world legitimately wanted to heal the wounds left by the invasion, and that meant there were a lot of people who wanted to use events like this to either advance that cause, or to make themselves look good.

But they weren't the only sorts of individuals who had recieved an invitation.

Benjamin Factor had also made it so the Numbered would be invited to his little party. Arrivals through the teleporter would be greeted by drivers at the community center, and the same courtesy was extended to anyone who might live in Locke. The only stipulation? Was that anyone who came make an effort to make themselves presentable. If that was a problem, or anyone arrived without knowing, they had clothes on hand for people to change into.

Indeed, it seemed that the Numbered would be well provided for tonight. That being said, their presence would get people to talk, given the presence of news crews making live coverage. Nevertheless... "getting people to talk" seemed to be exactly what Benjamin Factor wanted to happen.

[Event Links: Event Speakers | NPC Interaction | General Mingle]

Comments

[solvethepuzzle]

When one lives in a world where supernatural powers are a reality, he thinks he would be remiss to not legitimately consider the possibility. Simply a smart thing to keep in mind, so far as Nathan's brain works.

"Well," he begins, and what follow are quite a few more words than he has spoken during the entire trick. "When you changed your approach, you switched decks, indicating that this deck has been set up beforehand for this specific trick. The corresponding cards were on the top and bottom of the deck. When asking me to choose, you ensured that you still held the initial bottom half, and slid the bottom card out when you fanned the deck. After the count, you concealed that you drew two in order to ensure that matching card would be upturned. People could easily miss it."

That is . . . really less an opinion than a complete dissection of the trick. There is nothing condescending or bored about his tone, at least; he says it all the same way a normal person might comment upon the weather.

[ceofactor]

Factor loves it when the illusion remains in place and magic is accepted and allowed to exist. He had said, though, that Nathan reminded him of himself as a child when he had been the one to squint and look for the trick, and that does bring a smile to his lips.

"You should think about learning card tricks. Knowing how they work is the first step toward making it look like magic to everyone else," he says as he shuffles the deck and replaces the ornamental clip around it.

[solvethepuzzle]

"I would not have the knack for it, I'm sure."

He certainly cannot see himself being fit to entertain anyone, even if he could learn the proper hand movements involved. It doubtless requires a certain flair that he does not and will never have.

[ceofactor]

"You might be surprised. It just takes a deft hand, and anyone without arthritis or Parkinson's can develop that with just a little bit of practice."

He pauses, then adds conspiratorially, "Even if you would not like to perform tricks for others, the simple act of learning them and practicing them is itself very rewarding."

[solvethepuzzle]

He doesn't mean for his fingers to start curling into his hair, but the gesture is an unconscious one. Frankly, he is not even truly aware that he is doing it.

"Hm, perhaps, if I find the time."

No harm in that, right? Of course, the question would be where he would get the time from. Among helping to run the town, investigating Thundercorp, speculating on whatever threat one of their own is presenting, and the stress that is accompanying all that . . . Well. He is rather busy.

[ceofactor]

Factor neither comments or reacts to Nathan's tic, just continuing to smile and listen attentively even though the young man's words are soft and few.

"There is always time, especially for something as idle and delightful as tricks," he says. "Anyone can carry a deck of cards with them, practicing their shuffle while they watch the news, or their sleight of hand while they ride the bus?"